The Happiest Season of All

Karl & I both agree that Christmas Eve is so much funner than Christmas. After Karl got off work he took the kids snowmobiling in our backyard & around town. Every Christmas Eve Grandma Sandra gives everyone new p.j.'s. She does such a good job at picking them out.Then we go to the bowling alley. First we eat, then Santa comes to give all the kids a present.

Remote control cars!! Awesome!

This night is about the only time we bowl all year. Last year I beat Karl, so my goal this year was to do it again. Didn't happen. The kids love bowling. We put bumpers on one lane and the kids are off on their own. (with a little of adult supervision) This is a tradition that we have done since before we were married. I am sad to say that this year will probably be the last. Karl's uncle that owns the bowling alley was in a terrible accident this year. We are so glad he is doing well, but he is selling the bowling alley. I can't think of anything that could top this tradition.

We got done a little early, so we decided to go to Sandra's house. She has all kinds of things that make noise. Kort loves them all.

Christmas morning starts with the kids opening presents one at a time. We always said we were never going to be a video game family, but we finally gave in and bought a wii. That's all Kevin wanted. Kort wanted motorcycles, and got plenty. Once again they got way too many toys.
All of Karl's family meets at Sandra's for breakfast. Best of all is the fresh squeezed orange juice. I would love to have it every morning. Then we unwrapped more presents.

I got Karl a day with an instructor to go kite snowboarding. This was his reaction. His two brothers got the same thing. They are going together. Lets just hope they all make it back safely.

When everyone else left, we got the wii out and played it for most of the day.
I am so sad that it is over, but look forward to a new year!

Karaoke? I didn't think it was for me. I hate when the spotlight is on me. Well, we were invited to a karkoke party. We thought it would be fun to go and hang out with some friends, so we went. Karl had to find the perfect song. (Which took a while) He sang Handyman by James Taylor, all by himself. The Coxations, is what Karl nicknamed him and Andy, because

they sang My Girl by the temptations.

Karl talked me into singing a song with him. As long as I got to choose I said yes. We sang Believe by Cher. It was so much fun. So i talked Robyn into singing That don't Impress Me Much by Shania Twain. I know I am not a very good singer. It turns out you don't have to be good. As long as you are having fun. The party went for six hours, but we only had babysitters for two and a half. I didn't want to leave. They didn't have the one song that we wanted to sing which was Cover of The Rolling Stones, by Dr. Hook. (I know no ones heard of it) It's a group Karl's dad listened to. We can't wait to go to the next one.

This month has just flown by. It seems like we have had something everyday. Work, Ward, bonkos, & 2 family, Christmas parties, an over night basketball trip to Park City, Kevin's elementary program, basketball games, a trip to Orem to the Forgotten Carols with friends, and finally the home show was all on our list. It was so fun walking through all the other houses in the home show. I am so glad it is over. I kind of felt like people were invading my personal space, and I am sure some did. I would do it again, because it motivated me to deep clean the house. I definitely need new decorations though. This Saturday we are going to a Karaoke party. That should be very amusing. I am terrible when it comes to remembering to take pictures so I am adding what little pictures I have of all of these fun events.

This was my Dad's family party. It was a lot of fun watching my Grandpa sit on Santa's lap.

Karl had this sent to me for a center piece for the home show.

My camera was not working for Kevin's program. I had to take pictures with my camcorder, so they are not very good. Kort sat on the floor with uncle Andy and Lane.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

our busy weekend

Our Thanksgiving weekend was very busy. My mom and dad and my sister and her family came to our house. We started off with a delicious Thanksgiving meal on Thursday.Jaydee even had a special outfit.
Friday night we watched the light parade. After, we ate yummy soup and HUGE scones at the high school.

Saturday, Karl waited in line at seven in the morning for two hours to get a tree tag for us. (Thanks Karl) We love having a real tree. It took us a while to find a tree, because this was the first year we actually cut our own. We hope to make it a tradition every year.The kids enjoyed playing in the snow and climbing in trees.

We decorated it on Sunday. It has taken me two days to decorate the house for Christmas. I am decorating every room in my house for the home show. Yes, I don't know why but we are in the home show this year. So if you have any good ideas let me know.

The final project!!!
Monday night for family home evening we visited Santa and looked at lights around town. I am so excited for the Holidays. Kids make it so fun. I think I have had more fun as a grown up than when I was a child. I will be able to enjoy it a little better after the 9th, the night of the home show.

HaPpY hOlIdAy'S

Thanksgiving tradition

Every year Karl's family has their Thanksgiving dinner a little early or a little late. (So we can do Thanksgiving with the other side of the family) This year I forgot my camera so if you have seen Robyn's blog then you have already seen the pictures. (Thanks for the pictures Robyn) Every year we try to have a civilized dinner. We use Sandra's nice china and we are supposed to use our manners.....if you know Karl's brothers that's a little hard. After dinner we do the nativity. Sandra dresses the kids in costume and someone reads the story.

Kevin was Joseph

Jaydee is the youngest so she got to be the baby Jesus

Kort was a Shepard. He is the one next to Kevin that you can't see.

Next year I will remember my camera.

Sandra also had a little story called "Teach the Children". It was about the symbols of Christmas. It was a great story. In a twist of events this year the girls did a craft, while the men (some of the men) did the dishes. It was great. I hope it's a tradition that sticks.

I love this tradition. I think it starts the season off with the true meaning that should be in all our hearts this season.

Disney on Ice

Last weekend we took a trip up north to see Disney on Ice. We had great seats. (maybe a little too close for a couple of the costumes) I thought it was the best Disney on Ice that we have seen. The boys favorite part was the incredibles.
We watch it with cousins on my side of the family.

It was fun to see all the characters.

Even Jaydee loved to watch!

You know those days when your husband walks through the door and you give him the kids and lock yourself in your room? Well I was just thinking today that I haven't had one for a long time. The other day Kevin drew me a picture. (he draws me one a lot) The picture had "i heart you". It brought tears to my eyes. I honestly didn't even think about what it would be like the first time he wrote me I love you. He is getting so big. He is learning to read....I can't believe it. Being a mother is so rewarding. It's the little things that bring such joy. Like the other day, Jaydee, who does not like to cuddle and only likes to sleep in her crib, fell to sleep in my arms in like two seconds. She put her head against my chest and fell right to sleep. I held her forever, not moving, just enjoying the moment. Then there is my sweet Kort who loves to cuddle. He has been walking around all day singing "everybody wants to go to Heaven," sometimes changing heaven to Kevin, because he thinks it's funny. His little voice is so cute. Karl is coaching the freshman basketball team at the high school. Practise is almost everyday right after he gets off work. I thought that the extra two hours would do me over, but it hasn't. The season has just started so I might have a different opinion in February. The boys get to go to practise with him sometimes. They love it. He is such a great dad and husband. I can't wait to go to the games to see my man in action. I am so luck to have him and my children in my life. I am so blessed. Anyway this is the picture Kevin drew for me. Isn't it so cute?

Grandpa

My Grandpa is one of my greatest examples. He has taught me so much about how I want to live my life. Growing up, as a family he would take us on vacation. Those memories are so precious to me. It taught me how special families are. Around 9 years ago my Grandma died. It was one of the hardest things I had to go through in my life. I miss her so much. The marriage my grandparents had was something I knew I wanted in my marriage. They showed so much love for each other. I want my children to know my grandpa, because he is so special to me. He is the only great grandparent that is still alive. They love to go to his house. And that makes me happy. I love my grandpa so much. He is what a grandpa should be, my hero.

I love you Grandpa!!!

Thank you for all you do.

already party'n halloween style

Last weekend we had both of our family's Halloween party. Saturday we had my family party at Stephanie's house. We started off by watching the BYU game while the women made a craft.
We already have too much candy and we still have the trunk or treat to do.


Kort wanted to be batman this year. He insisted on wearing the cape we brought back from Cancun.

Kevin is a power ranger. It is crazy the things they pick up on t.v. I didn't even know that he knew what one was.

for the first party Jaydee was a ladybug

We also carved pumpkins. Kevin was able to carve his own pumpkin. He made a ninja turtle. It turned out so cute.

SANDRA'S PARTY

We had a mummy wrapping contest with the five kids born the same year. Kevin thought it was way cool to be wrapped.

Every year Sandra makes a big spider web made of yarn. Each child has their own color, and has to follow it till the end where they find their treat. The grown-ups usually end up doing it I helped Kort and Karl helped Kevin. Even though Clint burnt our strings we were able to find the end. I think the grown-ups like doing it more than the kids.

Jaydees was a poodle for this party.

We can't wait to celebrate Halloween too.